Hispanic Female Supreme Court Justice Good Move President Obama

USACC Logo

Washington, DC (Vocus) May 28, 2009

U.S. African Chamber of Commerce congratulates U.S. President Barack Obama on nominating a female, Hispanic federal appeals court judge to replace a retiring Supreme Court justice.

Mr. Obama announced the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor Tuesday at the White House. If confirmed, the 54-year-old Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic judge on the nine-member high court.

Sotomayor, who was born in New York to parents from Puerto Rico, would replace Justice David Souter, who is retiring this June after 19 years on the high court.

The USACC is the Leading Advocacy Organization for U.S. African Relations and promotes Emerging Markets. The USACC is the umbrella organization for African Chambers of Commerce and Professional Trade and Business Associations throughout the United States and abroad.

Contact:

U.S. African Chamber OF Commerce

Martin Mohammed, President

202-465-0778

http://www.usafricanchamber.com

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Beyond The Stun Gun: The Growing Demand For Alternative Less Lethal Weapons

(PRWEB) June 4, 2005

The use of lethal force is becoming socially and politically unacceptable in many of the confrontations faced by police and the military today. Law Enforcement personnel are continuously faced with lawsuits for wrongful deaths and unintentional injuries resulting from use of force. This has led to the development and use of “less lethal” force options, like the Taser.

Police departments all over the country are using less lethal weapons designed to stop an offender without killing him. However, a rash of controversial incidents has increased the media and public scrutiny of certain less lethal force options. Critics allege that Tasers have caused the deaths of a number of suspects and are prone to abuse situations. Amnesty International claims to have catalogued 103 cases in which the targeted person has later died. While these instances usually involved drug intoxication or pre-existing heart conditions, growing concerns remain.

“The market for stun guns could be on the verge of collapse,” says Barry Lamperd, president and founder of Lamperd Less Lethal, a certified supplier of less lethal guns for the United States, Canada, and NATO law enforcement forces. “The demand is rapidly growing for alternative less lethal weapon systems. We have developed a wide variety of less lethal arms designed to temporarily incapacitate, confuse, delay, or restrain an adversary in a variety of situations.”

Lamperd Less Lethal currently manufactures more than 250 products, with more in development. One of their most recent products is a rubber-like projectile that is lead-free and stays soft, even in freezing temperatures. Two years in the making, this projectile has won numerous awards in North America. Lamperd develops and manufactures various ammunitions, rubber projectiles, shields, sock rounds, distraction rounds, numerous accessories and training products. They also offer tactical training programs for law enforcement personnel and stand by their trainees. “If we trained you, and you followed department policy and procedure, we will go to court with you,” says Lamperd.

Along with the constant threat of lawsuits, today’s world has its own unique set of challenges for military and law enforcement officers. New technology is needed to assist air marshals on board our commercial airlines and for our troops in Iraq, who deal with unruly crowds on a regular basis. Lamperd Less Lethal strives to meet the needs of peacekeepers all over the world. Their products have been used successfully in riots, prison disturbances, suicide interventions, and even hostage rescue situations.

For more information or to set up an interview with Barry Lampert for a story, please contact Jay Wilke at 727-443-7115, ext. 223.

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Firearms Guide 2011 – Computer Searchable Guns and Ammo Reference Guide with Gun Schematics on DVD Hits the Market

Los Angeles, Calif. (PRWEB) February 2, 2011

Impressum Media Inc. launched the new 2011 edition of its’ computer searchable, firearms, ammunition and air guns reference guide that now comes with a schematic library with over 1,550 gun schematics with parts lists from 130 gun manufacturers. Firearms Guide 2011 (http://www.firearmsguide.com) hit the market on DVD for Windows, presenting over 50,000 firearms, ammunition and air guns from 425 manufacturers worldwide with over 27,000 high resolution color pictures, technical specifications, features and 2011 prices. This makes Firearms Guide 2011 very extensive firearms and ammo databases for civilians and for defense, security, military and police forces. That’s why over 7,000 of them worldwide became fans of Firearms Guide Facebook page.

The schematic library with over 1,550 gun schematics (exploded views or parts break down diagrams) with parts lists that can be printed out is crucial help for gunsmiths, pistolsmiths, hunters, competition and sport shooters, outdoorsmen, soldiers, police officers, gun dealers, NRA members or anyone that needs to dissemble and repair or clean guns.

The possibility to search over 50,000 guns and ammo from 34 countries such as Israel, USA, Russia, China, Italy, Romania, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Hungary, Japan, Brazil, Turkey, Austria, Great Britain etc with 14 search criteria makes Firearms Guide a tool for identifying AK47 Kalashnikovs, military 50cal sniper rifles, AR semiautomatic rifles, 1911 pistols, home defense shotguns, trap shooting and hunting shotguns and also historic black powder muskets, revolver, pistols, muzzleloaders, rifles and carbines.

FIREARMS GUIDE 2011 (http://www.firearmsguide.com)

Unique features on new 2011 edition:

1. Reference guide that presents over 50,000 models of Firearms, Air guns and Ammo from 425 manufacturers worldwide.

Computer searchable with 14 different search criteria. Find any gun in a second.
Presents models with Tech Specs – Hi-Resolution Color Pictures – Features – Ballistics – Prices.
Over 27,000 high-resolution color pictures in resolution up to 6636 x 1492.
Up to 12 pictures per model. Zoom in to the see smallest details.
Guns are presented in different finishes, stock types and stock materials.
Exclusive U.S. and EU custom guns with price tags up to $ 1,000,000.
Interlinked ammo and gun database. Check the stopping power of each gun with one click.

2. Schematics Library with over 1,550 gun schematics with parts lists from 130 manufacturers. Great for gunsmiths, soldiers, hunters, police officers etc. Search for a specific gun schematic by manufacturer, then choose the model and zoom in to see the smallest gun parts and print out any schematics

3. FFL Locator – Database of over 60,000 gun dealers in the USA with phone numbers and addresses. When you need a gun dealer find them by type of license, by state and by ZIP code.

4. 500 Printable Targets – Print them in your office, shoot them outdoor. Choose from a great selection: game animals, silhouettes, cross hairs, sight-ins, fun-to-shoot objects, etc. Both black & white and color targets. Great for shooting practice.

5. US-EU Ammo Caliber Chart – No more hassle trying to figure out which EU ammo caliber is which US ammo caliber. We’ve figured it out for you, from US to EU and EU to US – works both ways.        

Available at: http://www.firearmsguide.com with free shipping worldwide.
Retail price: $ 39.95
On DVD for Windows XP, Vista and 7.
Starts automatically and works directly from DVD. Needs no installation. No internet connection required.

ABOUT: Impressum Media Inc., headquartered in Los Angeles, California, is a publishing company specialized in innovative next generation publishing projects – interactive multimedia CDs and DVDs. It has developed several multimedia supplement projects for the European newspaper and magazine market.

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Illinois Supreme Court Reverses 15-Year Old Convictions in Double Murder Trial of a Juvenile

Illinois Supreme Court Argument

Springfield, IL (PRWEB) January 30, 2009

On January 20, 1994, sixteen-year-old Terrance Walker appeared in court for his double murder trial only to learn that his court appointed attorney failed to prepare to represent him. The trial judge, Judge Morrissey, refused counsel’s repeated requests to continue the case, deeming counsel’s lack of preparedness “irrelevant,” and a “dirty shame.” The trial that followed lasted less than half an hour. Defense counsel failed to present an opening statement, failed to raise a single objection, and asked only 16 questions on cross-examination. Defense counsel failed to move for a directed verdict, bolstered the prosecution’s case by eliciting damaging evidence from a State’s witness, and failed to ask for a ruling on a motion to suppress statements that was at the heart of the State’s case. Judge Morrissey found Terrance guilty on one count of first degree and one count of second-degree murder, and sentenced the juvenile to 60 years in prison. Defense counsel failed to file a motion for a new trial, or a notice of appeal.

Twelve years later, attorney Robert M. Stephenson, of Oak Park, Illinois, learned of the case, and agreed to represent Terrance pro-bono. At the time, no court in Illinois had jurisdiction to hear substantive arguments concerning the convictions. Mr. Stephenson filed a Motion for Supervisory Order in the Illinois Supreme Court asking the court to remand the case to the circuit court for proper admonishments concerning the right to appeal, and to allow Terrance to file an appeal. The Illinois Supreme Court granted that order.

On appeal, in the Illinois First District Court of Appeals in Chicago, Illinois, Attorney Stephenson raised two issues on Terrance’s behalf. First, that the trial judge abused his discretion in failing to give defense counsel a short continuance. Second, that defense counsel, based on her admitted failure to prepare, failed to provide Terrance with the type of representation envisioned by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The appellate court, without hearing argument and in an unpublished order, affirmed Terrance’s convictions.

Attorney Stephenson filed a Petition for Leave to Appeal in the Illinois Supreme Court. The Illinois Supreme Court granted the petition. All of the briefs in the case, as well as a video of the oral argument, may be found at RM Stephenson, LLC.

On January 23, 2009, the Illinois Supreme Court, in a unanimous opinion authored by Justice Freeman, reversed Terrance’s convictions, and remanded the case to the Circuit court of Cook County for a new trial. (Docket No. 105437) The Illinois Supreme Court found that Judge Morrissey evinced an openly hostile attitude toward defense counsel,” that had no basis in the record. The Court could not “condone that whatever displeasure the court had with defendant’s counsel-or with defense counsel in general-was visited upon defendant. It must be remembered that “[t]he constitutional guaranty that an accused shall have the assistance of counsel is not a barren right but one of inestimable value to him, and he should not be deprived of it by compelling counsel to go to trial unprepared and without an opportunity of studying the case.” People v. Blumenfeld, 330 Ill. 474, 489 (1928).”

The Illinois Supreme Court took the opportunity to “remind (the) bench and bar that at issue in a request for a continuance in a criminal trial is not only a circuit court’s discretion as to whether to grant that request, but also a defendant’s constitutional right to a fair, procedurally sound trial, which necessitates the making of a sufficient record to establish that a defendant has been afforded a fair process.” The court found the conclusion “inescapable that under the specific facts here, the circuit court completely abdicated its responsibility to conduct an informed deliberation of defense counsel’s motion and, instead, immediately and reflexively denied the continuance request on the sole basis that the case had been set for trial.”

The Illinois Supreme Court held that “the unique facts presented in the instant matter unquestionably support the conclusion that, in abdicating its duty to exercise discretion in ruling upon defense counsel’s request for continuance, the circuit court committed error. Judge Morrissey’s error “was so serious as to affect the fairness of defendant’s trial and challenged the integrity of the judicial process….”

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When We Understand Life We Understand Death

(PRWeb UK) November 26, 2010

When there is understanding of what life is about there is understanding of what death is about. Mike Robinson, the recent number one bestselling author of the seminal work ‘The True Dynamics of Life’ covered the topic of Death, Grief and Loss in his latest radio interview. He explained that if people don’t know about life they will not know about death. If fear is no longer ruling a person’s life then death will not be a problem.

According to Robinson no-one can teach about death, it is something a person has to go to themselves. Death represents the future, the unknown, but if the present is not being dealt with then there will be a fear of the future. There is a pressing need for individuals to deal with the confusion and problems of the present. The reason there is confusion in the present is because most people are living their lives from the point of view of their conditioning and upbringing. This creates beliefs, opinions and judgements which in turn cause division, pain and suffering in the individual and in the world. Death is a letting go of those beliefs, opinions and judgements. If death is life then life is a letting go of beliefs too, in the sense of a free life lived from a point that has no fear. Robinson suggests starting by looking at the issue of death not from the point of view of taught beliefs, such as from organized religion for example, but from the position of not knowing, a position of seeing for oneself, as if for the very first time and completely afresh.

If no-one can teach about death, then it follows that no-one can teach about life, and it for this reason that Robinson uses words in his book ‘The True Dynamics of Life’ as a trigger to take the individual on an inner journey to realize the truth for themselves. He recognizes that it is not possible to take people to the truth, as only the illusion can be written about, but it is possible to point out the facts which are leading them into greater suffering. When the illusion is negated what is left is the truth. For this reason Robinson leaves nothing hidden, and the forces that govern this planet and all material life are revealed.

The contents of ‘The True Dynamics of Life’ are designed to give powerful tools to guide the individual and bring them to a greater understanding of themselves and the universe. When they understand life they will understand death.

Robinson says, “Self-knowledge cannot be given, but then again neither can it be taken away.”

The full interview on Death, Grief and Loss with Mike Robinson can be heard by going to this link

There is further information about Mike Robinson’s work, as well as the opportunity to join his membership area for monthly workshops, audio downloads and ongoing support on a journey of self-discovery, by going to his website

The True Dynamics of Life is available for sale online at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com from Mike Robinson’s website and other outlets. It is also now available on Kindle.

About the Author

Mike Robinson is a writer and personal development teacher dedicated to sharing his understandings. Brought up from the age of 3 months in a children’s home, then put out into the world at 16 yrs with only the clothes he stood up in and no understanding of how the world worked, he spent many years observing his own and others pain until he found a solution. He has since spent the past 35 years travelling the world in an effort to help people recognize the truth and understand love in action. A father of three, Robinson resides in North Walsham, with his family.

REVIEW COPIES AND INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE

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Raybould Consulting, Inc Launches BestGunHolster.com

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) April 26, 2011

Raybould Consulting Inc, a leader in police equipment reviews and police gun reviews has recently launched BestGunHolster.com. While still in the early stages, BestGunHolster.com is already shaping up to be the best resource for people looking for information on gun holsters and accessories.

Founded by a current police officer, BestGunHolster.com was started after the founder had a hard time finding some information on a particular gun holster. Thus, the entire reason for BestGunHolster.com is to help people find real and unbiased reviews of gun holsters and related products. The goal of BestGunHolster.com is also to provide the readers with as many different reviews as possible so that no matter which holster you are looking for, you can find a review on it. While there are some gun holster reviews available to the public, there are no true dedicated sites like BestGunHolster.com for people to visit. Currently BestGunHolster.com has already got reviews up for some of the best gun holsters manufactures and some smaller named gun holster companies.

BestGunHolster.com has some big plans for the future. BestGunHolster.com isn’t only going to give their readers a ton of gun holster reviews from all of the gun holster manufacturers but will also start to incorporate gun reviews, gun accessories, and police equipment reviews into the site. Making it a one stop shop for firearm and accessories reviews. Those aren’t the only big plans for BestGunHolster.com. It is the founder’s goal to get a user forum up on the site so that individual’s can comment on the holsters and gun reviews. The CEO of Raybould Consulting Inc and founder of BestGunHolster.com recently stated that “having actual reviews from actual users is very important to me. While a gun holster may feel good and fit my needs, it may not be the best gun holster for my partner. The wide variety of gun holster reviews on this new site is going to do wonders for my fellow partners and gun enthusiasts.”

About Raybould Consulting Inc:

Based out of San Diego, CA, Raybould Consulting Inc. has been providing unbiased reviews for about three years and already has a large collection of websites dealing with police equipment and related products geared towards law enforcement. In additional to specializing in police equipment and Glock pistols, Raybould Consulting Inc. also provides services to police officers who are looking for free web hosting. The CEO of Raybould Consulting Inc has been in the law enforcement field for over a decade and has a vast amount of experience in finding the best police equipment and gear. The large amount of knowledge that the staff at Raybould Consulting Inc have only benefits their readers.

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California Supreme Court Historical Society Funds Grant for Los Angeles Superior Court

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 28, 2006

The Los Angeles Superior Court has memorialized the late California Supreme Court Justice Stanley Mosk by installing a permanent display of mementos in the Los Angeles County Courthouse named for Justice Mosk.

In 2005, the Los Angeles Superior Court was awarded a grant from the California Supreme Court Historical Society, to fund the purchase of a display case so that mementos of the archives could be on permanent display in the Stanley Mosk Courthouse located at First Street and Grand Avenue. The display, put together by California Judicial Center Library’s director Fran Jones and assistant Martha Noble, contains photographs and memorabilia from Justice Mosk’s long and illustrious life. The display immediately gives one a sense of the life of Stanley Mosk in pictures alongside Indira Ghandi, John F Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy and Martin Luther King in addition to entertainment legends Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

Justice Mosk served on the cabinet of Governor Culbert Olson from 1939-1943 followed by 16 years on the Los Angeles Superior Court till 1959. While on the bench of the Superior Court In 1947, Justice Mosk struck down whites-only real estate clauses in a Los Angeles neighborhood – a year before the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed “restrictive covenants” nationally. From 1959-1964, he served as the Attorney General of the state of California and continued to fight for equality. In the early 1960’s, he issued opinions denouncing discriminatory licensing and school segregation, in addition to threatening to block a PGA golf course if qualified African American players were barred from taking part. He ultimately sat on the bench of the Supreme Court from 1964-2001 at the time of his death. As one enters the Stanley Mosk Courthouse through the Hill Street entrance, the exhibit is in clear view to the public.

Justice Mosk was integral and active in the founding of the California Supreme Court Historical Society in the 1980’s. It has grown into the largest court-based historical organization in the country. Previously in both 2003 and 2004, the Society helped subsidize a project to archive the papers and memorabilia donated by the Mosk family to the Supreme Court. The Judicial Center Library, under the leadership of Director Fran Jones, was awarded the grants and is the repository for these materials. Associate Justice Richard Mosk of the California Court of Appeal — son of the late justice and member of the historical society’s advisory board — was instrumental in these projects to commemorate his father.

The California Supreme Court Historical Society was founded in 1989 as a non-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to recovering, preserving, and promoting California’s legal and judicial history, with a particular emphasis on the State’s highest court. The Society serves the interests of the bench and bar, the academic community, and the general public through its publications, educational programs and support of scholarly research. In addition, the Society assists private and public agencies with exhibitions, oral histories, court tours, and the acquisition and archiving of judicial materials.

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AccuQuote Explains Accelerated Death Benefit for Costly Medical Expenses

Wheeling, IL (Vocus/PRWEB) November 23, 2010

Individuals who develop terminal illnesses often accrue very large medical expenses. Fortunately, for those with life insurance, many life insurance companies have made it possible for policyholders to collect a portion of the death benefit while the insureds are still living. AccuQuote, an independent leader in providing term life insurance quotes to people across the United States, explains the benefits of adding the accelerated death benefit rider to an existing life insurance policy.

A life insurance rider is simply an addition, or endorsement, to a policy that expands or limits the terms and conditions of the policy. The accelerated death benefit rider gives the policyholder the option to receive typically between 25 and 75 percent of the policy’s overall death benefit amount. Exercising the accelerated death benefit rider is usually limited to those with terminal illnesses with prognoses of death within one year. Accelerated payments made to the policyholder can typically be made in monthly installments or in a lump sum.

“You can use the money from an accelerated death benefit to fund items on your bucket list, spend more time with friends and family, pay for living expenses or cover costly medical bills,” says Byron Udell, founder and CEO of AccuQuote.

The accelerated death benefit is often built into a life insurance policy at no additional cost. However, some life insurance carriers will charge interest on the advance and deduct that from the insured’s ultimate death benefit when they die. Upon the insured’s death, the remaining balance goes to the beneficiary.

“Of course it’s never fun to think about it, but we’re all going to die eventually. In many cases, we get sick first and then die,” says Byron Udell, founder and CEO of AccuQuote. “When that happens, a life insurance policy with an accelerated death benefit is certainly better than a policy without one.”

Individuals seeking more information about the accelerated death benefit rider can contact one of AccuQuote’s licensed life insurance agents at 888-314-4455 or visit AccuQuote.com’s learning center.

About AccuQuote

AccuQuote helps consumers find the best values in term life insurance by combining instant online life insurance quotes with the personal service of unbiased life insurance professionals who answer questions, identify important issues and make meaningful recommendations. The company offers consumers an extensive selection of life insurance products, including term life, whole life, universal life, accidental death, long-term care, disability and selected annuities. AccuQuote.com has many handy insurance tools, including a term life insurance calculator to help consumers determine their life insurance needs, a glossary of industry terminology, a collection of articles and press releases that cover many life insurance topics and a blog that provides opportunities for discussion on life insurance and personal finance. For additional information or to get free quotes for low cost life insurance, please call AccuQuote at 888-314-4455.

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RAP4 Less Lethal System For Military and Law Enforcement

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) May 20, 2008

Real Action Paintball (online http://www.rap4.com) is proud to announce the release of the RAP4 Less Lethal System is a combination of the RAP4 Less Lethal Launcher and RAP4 Less Lethal Projectile. The system is designed to contain or subdue individuals and groups when less lethal force is appropriate.

The RAP4 Less Lethal Launcher is an M4 replica rifle that looks and feels exactly like a real M4 carbine. The unit operates with an 18 round detachable magazine, and is powered by a single 45g disposable cylinder. The aesthetics of this highly realistic weapon help officers gain control of the suspect’s fear, encouraging the suspect surrender, de-escalating and reducing the number of use-of-force situations.

Photos:

http://rap4.com/images/LessLethal/rap4_less_lethal_marker.jpg

http://rap4.com/images/LessLethal/rap4_less_lethal_projectles.jpg

The RAP4 Less Lethal Projectiles are hard plastic spheres built to burst on impact. They contain a very fine Capsaicin II (chili-pepper) dust-like powder. RAP4 Less Lethal Projectiles are filled with enough Capsaicin powder to irritate a suspect’s eyes, nose and throat.

The RAP4 Less Lethal System is a high pressure system with enough kinetic force to get the suspect’s attention, unleashing a cloud of Capsaicin powder into the face (eyes, nose and throat) of the aggressor. The RAP4 Less Lethal System offers effective tools for achieving suspect compliance. Because the projectiles break upon impact, they do not penetrate skin or pose ricochet hazards, making the RAP4 Less Lethal System safe even at contact range. As they burst on impact and fill the vicinity with the irritant powder, using the RAP4 Less Lethal System officers don’t have to hit their target to subdue the suspect. By shooting in the vicinity, the suspect will be overwhelmed by a cloud of irritation powder.

Even when the suspect is running away, the officer can shoot into a wall or object in front of the suspect, leaving the suspect running into a barely visible cloud of irritation powder.

For training without the irritant effect, RAP4 Less Lethal Training Rounds are also available. These rounds contain harmless white powder to demonstrate the effect of the RAP4 Less Lethal Projectiles; they have the same performance, without the painful effect of the “real thing.”

Real Action Paintball offers proven-effective solutions for law enforcement officers and the military. For more information, http://www.rap4lesslethal.com

Real Action Paintball Inc.

2215 Ringwood Avenue

San Jose, CA 95131

408-434-0434 Office

http://rap4.com

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Brady Campaign State Scorecards: Most States Have Weak Gun Laws

Washington, D.C. (Vocus) February 19, 2010

Most states have weak or non-existent gun laws, helping feed the illegal gun market and allowing the sale of guns without background checks including at gun shows, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Forty-three states fail to close the loophole that allows criminals to buy guns at gun shows without Brady background checks.

Scores range from the first-ever “zero,” earned by Utah, to 79 for California. The complete scorecard results can be accessed at bradycampaign.org.

“Most states, unfortunately, are doing very little to protect citizens from gun violence. Most states are allowing dangerous people to have easy access to guns,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Few states have laws addressing the critical issue of gun trafficking such as requiring background checks on all gun purchases at gun shows. The Brady Campaign is advocating for legislation to close the gun show loophole at the national level.

Many states with weak gun laws have a high percentage of crime guns recovered that were originally purchased within their own state. The Brady Campaign relates this “homegrown” gun violence to the lack of gun laws in many states and nationally.

“Since most states don’t require Brady criminal background checks on all firearms including those at gun shows, gun traffickers don’t need to leave their own state to funnel illegal guns to felons and gang members,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign. “Many state officials have done nothing in the past year, or before, to stop the flow of illegal guns within the state, including closing the gun show loophole that allows dangerous people to walk into gun shows and buy guns without background checks” Helmke said.

California maintained the top spot with the nation’s strongest gun laws. New Jersey maintained its number two ranking and jumped ten points (to 73 points) by passing legislation to stop bulk purchases of handguns.

The categories covered by 2009 Brady Campaign State Scorecards are as follows:

    States can earn up to 35 points by taking steps needed to “Curb Firearms Trafficking.” States can fully regulate the gun dealers within its borders, limit bulk purchases of handguns, provide police certain technology to identify crime guns, and require lost or stolen guns to be reported to the police.

    States can earn up to 27 points by “Strengthening Brady Background Checks.” This involves requiring universal background checks and requiring a comprehensive permit in order to purchase firearms. Short of universal background checks, states can also close the gun show loophole, at least requiring background checks for all gun show sales.

    States can earn up to 20 points by “Protecting Child Safety” when it comes to guns. States can require that only childproof handguns be sold within their borders, require child safety locks sold with each weapon, hold adults accountable for keeping guns away from kids and teens, and require gun purchasers to be at least 21 years of age.

    States can earn up to 10 points by “Banning Military-style Assault Weapons,” as well as banning high-capacity ammunition magazines.

    States can earn up to eight points by restricting most “Guns In Public Places” to trained law enforcement and security and “Preserve Local Control” over municipal gun laws. This includes keeping guns out of workplaces and college campuses, not forcing law enforcement to issue concealed handgun permits on demand and not preventing cities from passing their own gun laws.

We acknowledge the research of Legal Community Against Violence on state gun laws. Their publication, “Regulating Guns in America,” and website served as a basis for our analysis. For more information about Legal Community Against Violence, see lcav.org.

As the nation’s largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke’s blog at bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at bradycampaign.org.

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